Dreamy London
Whenever anyone asks me where I’d go if I could be instantly transported there, my answer is always London. Why? What’s not to love about London? The city’s rich historical landmarks, like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, sit alongside cutting-edge architecture and a vibrant arts scene. What about the jokes about bad British food? Those certainly don’t apply any more. London’s multicultural atmosphere means you can explore the world through fantastic flavors all day long.
Every time I visit London, I experience something brand new to me. I coordinated my last visit with the Hampton Court Tulip Festival. These few weeks in April are renowned for their display of thousands of tulips in the historic gardens of Hampton Court Palace. I’m sure it never looked this beautiful when Henry VIII lived there! I wandered the gardens to explore rare tulip varieties in dazzling patterns. I even got the chance to talk with master gardeners at the Palace and get some tips for my own garden.
While not new to me, there’s always something new, delicious, and surprising to try at Borough Market. Of course, I hit the fudge stand first and buy a huge bag of different varieties to take home for the kids – and then proceed to eat them myself. This is a lively area filled with passionate vendors and food lovers. The high-quality ingredients and artisanal products allow you to discover unique flavors while support local businesses. This market is always on my must-visit list.
London has a hotel for everyone. Over the years I’ve stayed in short-term apartments, cozy boutique hotels, and even 72 stories in the air at the top the tallest skyscraper in the city! It’s important to find the neighborhood and the price range that’s right for you and I’ve certainly tested a lot of options! From historic buildings and green leafy streets, to streamlined modern architecture, you can find just what you want in London.
One of the surprising things to know about London is that the theatre scene here is so much less expensive that New York City! When I’m in town, I like to see a play or musical or two. This spring I went to an immersive production of Guys and Dolls. Instead of traditional seating, this theatre allowed the audience to become part of the streets and nightclubs of the show with the actors performing all around us. What an experience!
And if that’s not enough for you, many of London’s world-class museums are free. The National Gallery is always on my list and so is the Victoria and Albert Museum. The V&A, as it’s called, is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design. Be sure to visit the museum café, where you feel like you’re sitting in a work of art – because you are. This museum’s expansive gift shop is one of my favorite places to find unique gifts.
So, when should you go to London? Anytime! There’s always something unique to experience and I’d love to help you plan it. You can learn more about my services @ www.intomotiontravel.com/planning-services
Cheerio!
